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Economic Times
17 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Economic Times
He produced Amitabh Bachchan's blockbuster ‘Don' but did not have money to buy food, died penniless before its release. Who was Nariman Irani?
Don, starring Amitabh Bachchan, was a hit film. Nariman Irani produced it. He faced financial troubles. Industry friends helped him make the film. The song 'Khaike Paan Banaras Wala' was added later. Irani died in an accident before the film's release. Don became a success. Profits cleared Irani's debts. The film spawned a franchise. Irani's legacy lives on. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads A Career-Crowning Role for Bachchan, A Financial Wreck for Irani A Song That Was Never in the Script A Producer on the Brink of Collapse Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads The Tabela Shoot That Made History Music That Made the Film a Classic A Tragic Turn of Fate Friends Who Rallied Behind a Vision A Legacy Larger Than Life Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Remembering Nariman Irani: The Man Behind the Vision When Don hit theatres in 1978, it wasn't just another Bollywood release. It was the latest chapter in the meteoric rise of Amitabh Bachchan, following blockbuster hits like Zanjeer, Deewaar, and Sholay. Directed by Chandra Barot and crafted by the legendary writing duo Salim–Javed, Don became a roaring commercial success. Yet, behind its triumph lay a tale of financial despair and personal tragedy—particularly that of its producer, Nariman A. Irani For Amitabh Bachchan, Don was another feather in an already crowded cap, but for Nariman Irani, the man who backed the film, it was a last-ditch effort to salvage his career. After his previous venture, Zindagi Zindagi (starring Sunil Dutt), had failed to generate revenue, Irani found himself burdened with debt. As director Chandra Barot revealed in a 2006 interview with Rediff, several industry stalwarts—including Amitabh Bachchan, Pran, Zeenat Aman, and the writing pair Salim–Javed—collaborated on Don out of loyalty and goodwill toward Irani. According to Barot, the film's development stretched over three and a half years, with numerous hurdles and tight budgetary one of the film's most iconic elements—its unforgettable song 'Khaike Paan Banaras Wala'—wasn't part of the original plan. In an interview with DD Urdu, lyricist Sameer Anjaan recounted how his father, the renowned lyricist Anjaan, came to be associated with what would become a signature tune for Amitabh explained that after watching the film's final cut, screenwriter Javed Akhtar felt that the second half of the movie had become overly saturated with action and lacked an emotional or cultural pause. To counteract the dryness, Akhtar suggested the addition of a lighthearted song. Despite the film already being completed and the release date confirmed, Akhtar pushed strongly for the inclusion of this new the time, Nariman Irani's financial situation had deteriorated to such an extent that he reportedly lacked even the money for basic needs. As Sameer Anjaan recalled, Irani told Javed Akhtar that he simply couldn't afford to shoot another scene. However, Akhtar remained insistent. The creative team understood that the right song could bring balance to the film's tone and enhance its appeal. Eventually, despite his reservations and constraints, Irani more obstacles lay ahead. Amitabh Bachchan was set to leave India for an overseas commitment, and only a single day was available to shoot the new song. Moreover, there was no budget to build a set. Faced with the logistical nightmare, the team improvised. They chose a real cattle stable, or 'tabela,' in Goregaon—a locality in Mumbai known for housing workers from Uttar Pradesh . With barely any preparation, the team rolled cameras at this makeshift location and managed to film the entire song within a few resulted was cinematic magic. 'Khaike Paan Banaras Wala,' composed by Kalyanji-Anandji with lyrics by Anjaan, became a cultural sensation. It not only boosted the film's popularity but became eternally tied to Amitabh Bachchan's on-screen soundtrack played a pivotal role in its success. Kalyanji-Anandji's composition, alongside lyrics from Anjaan and Indeevar , gave the movie its memorable musical identity. Apart from 'Khaike Paan Banaras Wala,' the film featured other chartbusters like 'Yeh Mera Dil,' performed by Asha Bhosle. These songs helped elevate Don from just another thriller to an iconic Bollywood offering that would influence generations of Don turning into a box office hit—it was the third highest-grossing Indian film of 1978 and achieved the prestigious golden jubilee status—Nariman Irani never lived to see its triumph. Just weeks before the movie's release, he was involved in a tragic working as a cinematographer on Manoj Kumar's film Kranti at the Rajkamal Kalamandir studios in Bombay, Irani was caught in a sudden cloudburst. During the chaos, a wall collapsed and fell on him, resulting in a serious hip injury. Though he was rushed to the hospital, he did not survive. Irani passed away in December 1977, leaving the film incomplete and his family devastated. The profits from Don were later used to repay the debts he had Chandra Barot reiterated in his Rediff interview that Don was born not just out of creative ambition, but as a rescue mission for a friend in dire need. Irani, whose work as a cinematographer was well regarded—he had even won the National Award and the Filmfare Award for Saraswatichandra (1968)—was experiencing one of the lowest points of his professional life. His friends in the film industry didn't abandon him. Instead, they pooled their talents to create something that could lift him out of crisis. Tragically, he would never enjoy the fruits of their A. Irani might not have witnessed the release of Don, but his name lives on through its legacy. The movie sparked a successful franchise that has evolved through decades. A remake starring Shah Rukh Khan arrived in 2006, followed by a sequel, Don 2. Now, a new reboot featuring Ranveer Singh is in development, proving the staying power of the character and story Irani helped bring to initial concept for Don reportedly drew inspiration from his own previous work as a cinematographer on Chhailla Babu (1977), as per historical sources. He discussed a revamped story idea with Chandra Barot, who took the project forward. Though he never saw its completion, his creative fingerprints remain all over the A. Irani's contributions to Indian cinema extend beyond his tragic story. As a cinematographer, he brought visual poetry to films like Talash, Phool Aur Patthar, Roti Kapada Aur Makaan, and of course, Saraswatichandra. His work was critically acclaimed, and he was regarded as a master of black-and-white cinematography during a time of transition in ambition to become a producer may have led to financial hardship, but it also resulted in one of the most iconic thrillers in Indian cinematic history. Though he never saw the applause or reaped the financial success of Don, his influence echoes through every frame of the film and every beat of its unforgettable songs.
Time of India
19 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
He produced Amitabh Bachchan's blockbuster ‘Don' but did not have money to buy food, died penniless before its release. Who was Nariman Irani?
When Don hit theatres in 1978, it wasn't just another Bollywood release. It was the latest chapter in the meteoric rise of Amitabh Bachchan, following blockbuster hits like Zanjeer, Deewaar, and Sholay. Directed by Chandra Barot and crafted by the legendary writing duo Salim–Javed, Don became a roaring commercial success. Yet, behind its triumph lay a tale of financial despair and personal tragedy—particularly that of its producer, Nariman A. Irani . A Career-Crowning Role for Bachchan, A Financial Wreck for Irani For Amitabh Bachchan, Don was another feather in an already crowded cap, but for Nariman Irani, the man who backed the film, it was a last-ditch effort to salvage his career. After his previous venture, Zindagi Zindagi (starring Sunil Dutt), had failed to generate revenue, Irani found himself burdened with debt. As director Chandra Barot revealed in a 2006 interview with Rediff, several industry stalwarts—including Amitabh Bachchan, Pran, Zeenat Aman, and the writing pair Salim–Javed—collaborated on Don out of loyalty and goodwill toward Irani. According to Barot, the film's development stretched over three and a half years, with numerous hurdles and tight budgetary restrictions. A Song That Was Never in the Script Interestingly, one of the film's most iconic elements—its unforgettable song 'Khaike Paan Banaras Wala'—wasn't part of the original plan. In an interview with DD Urdu , lyricist Sameer Anjaan recounted how his father, the renowned lyricist Anjaan, came to be associated with what would become a signature tune for Amitabh Bachchan. Sameer explained that after watching the film's final cut, screenwriter Javed Akhtar felt that the second half of the movie had become overly saturated with action and lacked an emotional or cultural pause. To counteract the dryness, Akhtar suggested the addition of a lighthearted song. Despite the film already being completed and the release date confirmed, Akhtar pushed strongly for the inclusion of this new number. A Producer on the Brink of Collapse At the time, Nariman Irani's financial situation had deteriorated to such an extent that he reportedly lacked even the money for basic needs. As Sameer Anjaan recalled, Irani told Javed Akhtar that he simply couldn't afford to shoot another scene. However, Akhtar remained insistent. The creative team understood that the right song could bring balance to the film's tone and enhance its appeal. Eventually, despite his reservations and constraints, Irani agreed. The Tabela Shoot That Made History But more obstacles lay ahead. Amitabh Bachchan was set to leave India for an overseas commitment, and only a single day was available to shoot the new song. Moreover, there was no budget to build a set. Faced with the logistical nightmare, the team improvised. They chose a real cattle stable, or 'tabela,' in Goregaon—a locality in Mumbai known for housing workers from Uttar Pradesh . With barely any preparation, the team rolled cameras at this makeshift location and managed to film the entire song within a few hours. What resulted was cinematic magic. 'Khaike Paan Banaras Wala,' composed by Kalyanji-Anandji with lyrics by Anjaan, became a cultural sensation. It not only boosted the film's popularity but became eternally tied to Amitabh Bachchan's on-screen persona. Music That Made the Film a Classic Don's soundtrack played a pivotal role in its success. Kalyanji-Anandji's composition, alongside lyrics from Anjaan and Indeevar , gave the movie its memorable musical identity. Apart from 'Khaike Paan Banaras Wala,' the film featured other chartbusters like 'Yeh Mera Dil,' performed by Asha Bhosle. These songs helped elevate Don from just another thriller to an iconic Bollywood offering that would influence generations of cinema. A Tragic Turn of Fate Despite Don turning into a box office hit—it was the third highest-grossing Indian film of 1978 and achieved the prestigious golden jubilee status—Nariman Irani never lived to see its triumph. Just weeks before the movie's release, he was involved in a tragic accident. While working as a cinematographer on Manoj Kumar's film Kranti at the Rajkamal Kalamandir studios in Bombay, Irani was caught in a sudden cloudburst. During the chaos, a wall collapsed and fell on him, resulting in a serious hip injury. Though he was rushed to the hospital, he did not survive. Irani passed away in December 1977, leaving the film incomplete and his family devastated. The profits from Don were later used to repay the debts he had accumulated. Friends Who Rallied Behind a Vision Director Chandra Barot reiterated in his Rediff interview that Don was born not just out of creative ambition, but as a rescue mission for a friend in dire need. Irani, whose work as a cinematographer was well regarded—he had even won the National Award and the Filmfare Award for Saraswatichandra (1968)—was experiencing one of the lowest points of his professional life. His friends in the film industry didn't abandon him. Instead, they pooled their talents to create something that could lift him out of crisis. Tragically, he would never enjoy the fruits of their labor. A Legacy Larger Than Life Nariman A. Irani might not have witnessed the release of Don, but his name lives on through its legacy. The movie sparked a successful franchise that has evolved through decades. A remake starring Shah Rukh Khan arrived in 2006, followed by a sequel, Don 2. Now, a new reboot featuring Ranveer Singh is in development, proving the staying power of the character and story Irani helped bring to life. Irani's initial concept for Don reportedly drew inspiration from his own previous work as a cinematographer on Chhailla Babu (1977), as per historical sources. He discussed a revamped story idea with Chandra Barot, who took the project forward. Though he never saw its completion, his creative fingerprints remain all over the film. Remembering Nariman Irani: The Man Behind the Vision Nariman A. Irani's contributions to Indian cinema extend beyond his tragic story. As a cinematographer, he brought visual poetry to films like Talash, Phool Aur Patthar, Roti Kapada Aur Makaan, and of course, Saraswatichandra. His work was critically acclaimed, and he was regarded as a master of black-and-white cinematography during a time of transition in Bollywood. His ambition to become a producer may have led to financial hardship, but it also resulted in one of the most iconic thrillers in Indian cinematic history. Though he never saw the applause or reaped the financial success of Don, his influence echoes through every frame of the film and every beat of its unforgettable songs.
Indian Express
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Amitabh Bachchan's Don ruined producer financially; he ran out of money for food, died before film's premiere, profits were used to pay off his debts
The film Don further solidified Amitabh Bachchan's stardom, landing with a splash after the success of Zanjeer, Deewaar, and Sholay. But the film's production left producer Nariman Irani financially ruined. Despite emerging as a hit, it would be his final film as producer, as he died shortly before its premiere. The profits that Don generated were used to pay off the debts that Irani had incurred. In an interview, lyricist Sameer Anjaan recalled the production of the movie, and said that Javed Akhtar insisted that a new song be shot, even though there was no money to do so. The song in question was 'Khaike Paan Banaras Wala,' written by Sameer's father, Anjaan. In an interview with DD Urdu, Sameer said that his father's 'guru' promised to make him the next Harivanshrai Bachchan. 'But little did my father know that instead of becoming the next Harivanshrai Bachchan, he would become eternally linked to Amitabh Bachchan because of the song 'Khaike Paan Banaras Wala'. Even today, it is impossible to mention Bachchan without mentioning the song. But did you know that the movie wasn't supposed to have the song at all?' Also read – Star of Bollywood's Golden Era died penniless due to flamboyant lifestyle, influenced Amitabh Bachchan and won praise from Mahatma Gandhi Sameer explained, 'Javed Akhtar watched the movie with everyone else, and felt that the second half was too dry. He felt that it had too much action. So, he advised that a new song be filmed and inserted to balance things out. He was adamant and stubborn about it. He said, 'No, I want a song'. The movie had been completed, the release date had been locked! Then, my father was summoned. The poor producer was in such a bad state because of the film that he didn't even have money for food.' According to Sameer, Nariman Irani told Javed Akhtar that shooting a new song would be impossible, considering the state of his finances, but Javed wouldn't take no for an answer. 'The song was made. But then, a new issue cropped up. Amitabh Bachchan was supposed to leave for abroad. He would be away for over a month. There was only one day to shoot the song, and no set to shoot it on. They came up with the idea to go to Goregaon, and shoot the song at one of the 'tabelas' that folks from UP had there. You won't believe it, but the went to a 'tabela', shot the song in a couple of hours, and the rest is history,' Sameer said. Read more – Mughal-E-Azam actor worked in over 500 films, but lived in a house without electricity, could never afford a car Directed by Chandra Barot, the film's music was composed by the legendary pair of Kalyanji-Anandji. The soundtrack also included the hit song 'Yeh Mera Dil.' But Nariman Irani's story ended in tragedy. A few weeks before the film's release, he died in a freak accident when a wall fell on him during a cloudburst on the set of a Manoj Kumar film. In an interview with Rediff in 2006, Chandra Barot said that everybody came together to make Don in the first place to bail Nariman out of trouble. His first film had flopped as well. 'He produced his first film Zindagi Zindagi with Sunil Dutt, which flopped badly. He was in debt so, as his friends, we decided to bail him out. Amitabh Bachchan, Pran, Salim-Javed and Zeenat Aman came forward to make a film. It took three years and six months to make Don. There were tremendous budget constraints, but we knew we had to make a good film.' Also read – Legendary Bollywood music composer lived as paying guest in final years, banned family from attending funeral Barot added, 'Don was shot with a budget of around Rs 25 lakh. After Nariman Irani's death, we somehow managed to wrap the film without any money for promotion. When it became a big hit, we gave the money to Salma Irani, the producer's widow, to settle her husband's debts.' In an interview with Rediff as well, Zeenat Aman remembered Nariman Irani as 'a wonderful man.' She said, 'I had just worked with him on Roti Kapda Aur Makaan. And Chandra Barot had been Manoj Kumar's chief assistant. We had all worked together on Roti Kapda Aur Makaan and when they talked about the project and wanted me in it, I was very happy. And we didn't work on it like it was a unit or a set. It was all very family-oriented. So much so that when he passed away, I did not take any of my renumeration. I just wrote all of it off. I didn't get any of my payment for Don.' Don was remade with Shah Rukh Khan in the lead role in 2006. A sequel, Don 2, followed some years later. The franchise is set to be rebooted with Ranveer Singh in the lead role.
News18
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- News18
Manoj Bajpayee Announces The Family Man Season 3 Release Date
Apart from Manoj Bajpayee, The Family Man Season 3 also features celebs like Jaideep Ahlawat, Nimrat Kaur, Sharib Hashmi, Priyamani and Sharad Kelkar in significant roles. The Family Man Season 3, starring Manoj Bajpayee, is one of the most anticipated web series of 2025. Directed by Raj and DK, the upcoming season promises to delve deeper into the personal and professional struggles of Srikant Tiwari, portrayed by Manoj. This time, the story will explore high-stakes national security threats and rising geopolitical tensions, particularly in India's Northeast region. As anticipation builds, the actor has officially confirmed the release date, sending fans into a frenzy. According to Rediff, Manoj has confirmed to Subhash K Jha that season 3 of the hit spy-thriller series will premiere in either the last week of October or the first week of November, which indicates around Diwali 2025. With shooting officially finished, the actor announced, 'The shooting is complete," putting an end to the long wait and uncertainty. However, a final release date of the show is yet to be announced by the makers. When asked about the show's popularity throughout the years, the actor replied, 'When we started, we had no clue The Family Man would go this far. Is this the most popular work I've done? I'd say most definitely yes." Apart from Manoj, The Family Man Season 3 also features celebs like Jaideep Ahlawat, Nimrat Kaur, Sharib Hashmi, Priyamani and Sharad Kelkar in significant roles. On working with such acclaimed actors, Manoj said, 'I appreciate working with actors that are as committed to getting it right as I am." Last month, the makers dropped a 58-second teaser of the new season, taking fans on a nostalgic ride as it begins with highlights from the first and second seasons before offering a sneak peek into what's coming next. The season 3 teaser begins in a train cabin, where Manoj's Srikant Tiwari is asked by a ticket checker what he does for a living. He responds, 'I am a life and relationship coach." His wife, Suchitra (played by Priyamani), sits alongside him and rolls her eyes. The teaser then introduces Jaideep Ahlawat and Nimrat Kaur, who will play the antagonists in the next season. These fresh entries have piqued fans' interest, and they are eager to see how the story progresses. Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Economic Times
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Economic Times
Family Man Season 3: Manoj Bajpayee shares release date, gives another big update
Agencies Manoj Bajpayee confirmed that The Family Man Season 3 is set to premiere in late October or early November, following the completion of shooting. After months of speculation, The Family Man fans finally have a reason to rejoice. In a report published by Rediff, Manoj Bajpayee confirmed Subhash K Jha that Season 3 of the hit spy-thriller series will premiere either in the last week of October or the first week of November. With shooting now officially wrapped, the actor revealed, 'The shooting is complete,' putting an end to the long wait and uncertainty. Reflecting on the unexpected popularity of the series, Bajpayee shared, 'When we started, we had no idea The Family Man would go this far.' Despite an illustrious filmography and recent success in OTT content like Killer Soup, the actor admits that nothing has quite matched the resonance and mass appeal of this Amazon Prime Video series. 'Is it the most popular work that I've done? I would say, most definitely yes,' he stated. While The Family Man Season 2 saw Samantha Ruth Prabhu take audiences by storm, Season 3 promises an equally powerful performance from a new addition. 'If the highlight of Season 2 was Samantha, in Season 3, it will be Jaideep Ahlawat,' Bajpayee teased. Known for his intense and immersive performances, Ahlawat's inclusion signals a fresh narrative shift that could once again elevate the show's gripping storyline. Reuniting with the dynamic directorial duo Raj & DK, Bajpayee expressed his continued excitement and commitment to the project. 'I love working with actors who are as dedicated to the task of getting it right as much as I am,' he noted, highlighting the synergy and seriousness that have shaped the series' success. As the release window nears, expectations for The Family Man Season 3 are higher than ever. With Jaideep Ahlawat stepping in and the ever-reliable Manoj Bajpayee leading the charge, this chapter might just be the franchise's most thrilling yet.
